1:8 So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper, 1:9 I would rather appeal 4 to you on the basis of love – I, Paul, an old man 5 and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus 6 – 1:10 I am appealing 7 to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become 8 during my imprisonment, 9 that is, Onesimus, 1:11 who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you 10 and me. 1:12 I have sent 11 him (who is my very heart) 12 back to you. 1:13 I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place 13 during 14 my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel. 15 1:14 However, 16 without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness. 1:15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, 17 1:16 no longer as a slave, 18 but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking 19 and in the Lord. 1:17 Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. 1:18 Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes 20 to me. 1:19 I, Paul, have written 21 this letter 22 with my own hand: 23 I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe 24 me your very self. 1:20 Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 25 1:21 Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than 26 what I am asking you to do. 1:22 At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.
1:23 Epaphras, 27 my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you. 1:24 Mark, Aristarchus, 28 Demas 29 and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too. 1:25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be 30 with your spirit. 31